Stadium bench



De. 9, 1969 J. P. HENEBRY ETAL 3,482,874

STADIUM BENCH Filed March 15, 1968 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .2. @j if ff @A fff/g//ffwi/f Dec. 9, 1969 J, P, HENEBRY ET AL STADIUM BENCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 13, 1968 United States Patent O U.S. Cl. 297-445 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A stadium bench formed entirely of a plurality of elongated aluminum extrusions, the upper surfaces of which together form a contoured seating surface, the upper surfaces of said extrusions having a drain conliguration at the lowermost point in the contoured seating surface, said extrusions being selectively assemblable to form selectively a seating surface having a sacrum support, a lumbosacral support and an upper back support, some of said extrusions being clamped to supports along their lengths, others of said extrusions being bolted to cooperating extrusions. Nut-retaining clamps are provided for one form of stadium bench. Another form of the invention includes elongated aluminum extrusions covering and being clamped to pre-existing wooden benches by clips forming part of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A stadium bench impervious to weather and providing maximum comfort is formed entirely of aluminum extrusions, said extrusions having overlapping portions, portions forming a drain, mating and boltable portions to selectively provide a contoured seating surface having a Sacrum support, a lumbosacral support or an upper back support, some of said extrusions having leg portions for clamping to supports intermediate the lengths of said extrusions by clamps having nut-retaining conformations. End caps and connecting means are provided for the opposite open ends of the extrusions forming the seating surfaces, the drain configuration extending through said end caps. Clip means are provided for applying some of said extrusions to a pre-existing wood bench and means are provided for supporting said last-named extrusions and for attachment of end caps thereto.

This invention relates to stadium benches and has particular relation to the employment of aluminum extrusions in the construction of said benches.

One purpose of the invention is to provide a stadium bench substantially impervious to the effects of Weather and dispensing with the need for painting and maintenance.

Another purpose is to provide a contoured stadium bench.

Another purpose is to provide a contoured stadium bench formed of aluminum extrusions selectively assemblable to provide a contoured seating surface having a Sacrum support, a lumbosacral support or an upper back support.

Another purpose is Ito provide a contoured stadium bench having drain means therefor.

Another purpose is to provide attachment means for an aluminum stadium bench having nut-retaining conformations.

Another purpose is to provide an aluminum seating surface and cover for pre-existing wooden stadium benches and clip means for securing the same thereto.

Another purpose is to provide an aluminum seating surface and cover for pre-existing wooden benches and having runners supporting said surface o n said wooden bench and receiving end cap fasteners therein.

3,482,874 Patented Dec. 9, 1969 Another purpose is to provide a continuous aluminum stadlum bench seating surface formed of elongated extrusons, having overlapping and interpenetrating conformations thereon.

Another purpose is to provide a stadium bench of maximum strength and minimum weight.

Another purpose is to provide a stadium bench of maximum economy in manufacture, assembly and use.

Other purposes may appear from time to time during the course of the specilication and claims.

The invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE l is a front view of one form of stadium bench of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a view, on an enlarged scale, taken on `the line 2-2 of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a detailed view in partial cross section;

FIGURE 4 is a detailed view;

FIGURE 5 is a partial perspective of one form of stadium bench of the invention;

FIGURE 6 is a partial perspective of another form of stadium bench of the invention;

FIGURE 7 is an end view with the end cap removed of a form of stadium beach ofthe invention; and

FIGURE 8 is a top view of an end portion of the stadium bench illustrated in FIGURE 7.

Like parts are indicated by like numerals throughout the specication and drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGURES 1-3, a plurality of spaced, upstanding supports are indicated at 1. Each of the supports 1 has carried thereby or formed integrally therewith a horizontally disposed 'base plate 2.

Indicated at 3 is a horizontally disposed bench portion extending across and supported on the plates 2 of supports 1. A horizontally rear portion 4 is positioned for support of the lower back of the user, and is secured to the rear of portion 3. The lower-back support portion 4 includes elongated segments 5 alternating with similarly coniigured and coplanar brackets 6. Secured to brackets 6 and extending outwardly rearwardly therefrom are risers 7. Extending horizontally across and supported on the upper portions of risers 7 is a horizontally disposed upper-back support 8. Indicated at 9 is an end cap for the bench portion 3. An aligned end cap 11 closes the opposite ends of the upper-back support 8.

The bench body-supporting portions are formed entirely of elongated aluminum extrusions, each having substantially the length of the entire bench. Brackets 6 and risers 7 are also formed of aluminum extrusions. While the supports 1 and plates 2 may be similarly formed of aluminum extrusions, the supports 1 and plates Z may take a variety of forms without departing from the nature and scope of the invention. Y

Bench portion 3 is formed of a plurality of elongated, mating aluminum extrusions involving a `minimum amount of material and minimum weight while yet providing fully adequate supporting strength. The extrusions which together comprise bench portion 3 are indicated generally by the numerals 15, 16 and 17. The striations 15a, 16a provide a nonslip surface.

lExtrusion 15 is formed of a continuous length of metal of substantially constant thickness throughout `and includes a forward supporting runner 18 having an upturned lip 19 at its rear edge. From the forward edge of runner 18 extrusion 15 curves forwardly upwardly and then rearwardly and downwardly to the rear as indicated at 20 to form the forward curved edge of bench portion 3 for conformation with the back of the knees of persons seated upon the bench of FIGURES 1-5.

Spaced rearwardly from and in horizontal alignment with the runner 18 is a runner 21 having an upturned lip 22 at its forward edge. At the rear edge of runner 21 the material of extrusion is upwardly offset and continued in parallel with runner 21 to form a space or socket with the base plate 2, the offset portion being indicated at 23. From the rear edge of portion 23 the material of extrusion 15 extends vertically upwardly as indicated at 24. At the upper edge of portion 24 the material of extrusion 15 extends forwardly in a slightly upwardly inclined or curved -plane to join, in an offset relationship, with the rear edge of portion as indicated at 25.

Extrusion 16 includes a lower front runner 30' having a forwardly extending portion 31 formed and adapted for seating within and filling the space between portion -23 and base plate 2. The rear edge of runner is upturned to form the lip 32. Intermediate the forward and rear edges of runner 30 extrusion 16 includes an upwardly vertical portion 33 adapted for abutting contact with portion 24. The upper seating surface portion of extrusion 16, indicated at 34, includes a forwardly extending edge portion 35 formed and adapted for seating in offset 25, the portion 34 aligning with portion 20 in a continuously, downwardly, rearwardly curved plane.

A vertical portion 36 extends downwardly from portion 34 intermediate the ends of the latter and includes a runner 37 extending forwardly from its lower edge in horizontal alignment with runner 30. An upwardly turned lip 38 is formed at the forward edge of runner 37.

The rear edge 40 of portion 34 lies at the lowermost point in the contoured curved seating surface 3a of bench portion 3. Inwardly spaced from the edge 40 the extrusion 16 includes a vertically descending portion 41 which is offset in a generally U-shaped conformation indicated generally at 42, the end segment of portion 41 continuing beyond the offset 42 for contact with the support 2 as indicated at 43.

Extrusion 17 includes a forward runner 50 having an upturned lip 51 at its rear edge. Intermediate the forward and rear edges of runner a vertical portion 52 rises and terminates in a cross portion 53 downwardly spaced beneath the rear edge 40 of portion 34. The forwardly extending portions of runner 50 and crosspiece 53 form, with vertical portion 52, a generally U-shaped conformation adapted to receive the conformation 42 of portion 41, the forward portion of runner 50 being received within and illing the space between base 2 and the lower leg of conformation 42.

At the rear edge of crosspiece 53 the extrusion 17 continues in an upwardly vertical portion 54 to join the upper, seat-forming portion 55 of extrusion 17 at a point intermediate the forward and rear edges thereof. Drain openings, such as that shown at 54a, are spaced along the length of portion 54. The portion 5S includes a forward edge 56 spaced from edge 40 of portion 34. From its forward edge 56 the portion 55 curves upwardly, rearwardly. At the rear of portion 55 extrusion 17 continues in a downwardly vertical portion 57, a mass 58 forming the juncture of portions 55 and 57. A rear runner 59 extends forwardly from the lower edge of portion 57 and terminates in the upwardly turned lip 60.

It lwill be observed that a set of identical clamps 70 are provided for each support or base plate 2, one within each of the extrusions 15, 16, 17. Each of said extrusions includes spaced, upwardly disposed lip portions rising from the level of support 2. The lip portions of each of said extrusions are spaced apart an equal distance and each of the clamps 70 includes forward and rear gripping portions 71 overlying and engaging said lip portions on said extrusions. Suitable fasteners, such as the bolts 73, extend upwardly through support plate 2 to draw the clamps downwardly tow-ard the support 2 and to secure the extrusions 15, 16, 17 thereon. Each of the clamps 70 includes upwardly disposed nut-retaining segments 74 effective to be engaged and galled or deformed by the nuts 75 as bolts 73 are turned thereinto.

Formed in the mass 58 is a rearwardly open, continu-ous, elongated groove running the length of extrusion 17. An elongated extrusion 81 includes a forward vertical portion 82 from which an elongated lip or rib 83 extends forwardly at a point downwardly spaced from the upwardly, rearwardly curved portion 84 of extrusion 81. Intermediate the ends of portion 82 is a rearwardly disposed portion 85 from which an upwardly curved portion 86 extends in spaced relation withxportion 84, the portions 86, 84 being joined at their upper edges by a curved upper portion 87. Below portion 85, the vertical portion 82 continues in a slightly thickened portion 88. Suitable fasteners, such as the bolts 89, extend through portion 88 and portion 57 of extrusion 17 to secure extrusion 81 thereto, the rib 83 seating within groove 80 of extrusion 17.

Extrusion 81 is interrupted, forming the segments 5, in the form of the bench illustrated in FIGURES 1-3, at points along its length by the interpositionof brackets 6 Iwhich may be best understood from a View of FIGURE 3. The brackets 6 are formed of an aluminum extrusion hav ing an upwardly curved forward surface 90 corresponding precisely to the forward surface of portion 84 of extrusion 81 and a curved upper edge portion 91 corresponding to portion 87. Bracket 6 includes a forwardly extending rib 92 formed and adapted for seating in groove 80. The rib 92 extends forwardly from a forward surface 93 on bracket 6 which is formed and adapted for abutting contact with the portion 57 of extrusion 17.

Bracket 6 includes a lower, horizontal and forwardly extending portion 94 formed and adapted for mating contact with the under rear surface of support 2. Bracket 6 is cut away in the areas indicated at 95 for lightening and economy of material. A fastener, such as bolt 96, secures portion 94 to support 2, a second fastener 97 extends through the surface 93 of bracket 6 to secure bracket 6 to extrusion 17 Bracket 6 includes a lower rear mass 98 having a downwardly, rearwardly inclined upper surface 99. A riser 7, formed of a rectilinear, elongated, hollow aluminum extrusion, has its lower edge seated upon surface 99 and its lower forward surface abutting the rear edge of bracket 6. Fasteners 100 secure the lower portion of riser 7 to the bracket 6 at the masses thereof between adjacent openings 95.

The back support 8 is formed of an elongated aluminum extrusion having a forward, back-contacting, gently curved portion 106 and a downwardly, rearwardly inclined upper portion 107. The portion 107 terminates in a downwardly curved rear lip segment 108 formed and adapted to grip the upper rear corner of the risers 7. Intermediate its ends the portion 106 has an inwardly directed, L-shaped bracket 109 for reception of a fastener 110 extending through an upper portion of the riser 7. Portion 106 has a downwardly, rearwardly curved lower edge portion 111 contacting the forward surface of riser 7.

FIGURE 4 illustrates the attachment of end caps 9 and 11, the forward portion of cap 9 being shown. An L-shaped bracket 9a'is shown in dotted lines and a fastener 9b extends through cap 9 and into the vertical leg of bracket 9a. A rivet 9c holds the horizontal leg of bracket 9a beneath surface 20. It will be understood that end cap 9 takes the form shown in FIGURE 5 when extrusion 4 is absent and the form of FIGURE 6` when extrusion 4 is present. It will also be noted that end cap 9 is notched or slotted, as indicated at 9d, in alignment with the drain channel, defined by portions 41, 53 and 54, beneath edges 40-56.

Illustrated in FIGURES 7 and 8 is a form of stadium bench having a support 200 across which a wooden plank or bench member 201 extends. An elongated aluminum rear extrusion 202l is general L-shaped in cross-sectional configuration and includes the upper seating surface portion 203, the depending cover portion 204 extending from the rear edge of the portion 203 and an elongated supporting runner portion 205 depending from the portion 203 and seated upon the rear segment of the plank 201. A depending, L-shaped supporting runner 206 is rearwardly spaced from the forward edge 207 of portion 203 and includes the forwardly extending leg portion 208 in contact with the central upper surface of the plank 201, being secured thereto by a suitable fastener, such as that shown at 209.

An elongated aluminum forward extrusion 210 includes the upper seating surface portion 211 and the depending cover portion 212 at its forward edge. A support runner 213 depends from a forward segment of the portion 211 for seating upon a forward segment of plank 201. A second supporting runner 214 descends from portion 211 rearwardly of runner 213 for seating upon an intermediate segment of plank 201. Rearwardly of the runner 214 the portion 211 terminates in a dual offset rear edge portion 215 formed and adapted for seating Within the U-shaped socket created by the vertical portion of support runner 206, leg 208 and the segment of portion 203 between forward edge 207 and the vertical portion of runner 206.

Depending rear and front cover portions 204, 212 have inwardly disposed, curved pocket conformations 204a, 212er, respectively, at and along their lower edges. Clip members 220, 221 have similarly curved outer end conformations 220:1, 221:1 formed and adapted for seating and rotation within the conformations 20451, 212a, respectively. At their opposite ends the clip members 220, 221 have flattened portion 220b, 221b respectively. Between the end conformations 220a, 221a and 220b, 2211 the clip members 220, 221 are curved upwardly as shown in the drawings. The upwardly curved intermediate segments forming the majority of each of the clip members 220, 221 are positioned for engagement with the undersurfaces at the rear and forward areas of plank 201, respectively. Fastener elements 220e, 221e secure the clip portions 220b, 22111, respectively, to plank 201 and extend upwardly through a horizontal portion of support 200.

An end cap 230 closes the opposite open ends of the structure formed by extrusions 202, 210 and are secured thereto by suitable fasteners 231 which extend through the end caps 230 to engage within sockets formed by runners 205, 213 as indicated at 232. Thus the spaced legs of runners 205, 213 serve the dual purpose of supporting extrusions 202, 210 on plank 201 and of providing attachment means for end caps 230. While one end cap 230 is shown in FIGURE 7, it will be understood that a similar end cap structure closes the opposite open end of the assembly formed by extrusions 202, 210.

The clip 221 prevents the user from lifting upwardly on the forward extrusion 210, the latter being held to plank 201 by clip 221 and its engagement with extrusion 202. The clips 220, 221 are spaced at relatively short intervals, of the order of 3 feet for example, and serve to draw extrusions 202, 210 downwardly onto plank 201 and to hold the extrusions rigidly thereon.

What is claimed is:

1. A contoured stadium bench formed of elongated aluminum extrusions, including and forming a forward portion having a curved upper surface formed and adapted to conform to and support the popliteal space of the user, an intermediate portion having a concave upper surface extending rearwardly from said forward curved surface and formed and adapted to conform to and support the buttocks of the user and a rear portion having an upwardly inclined curved upper surface extending from said concave upper surface and formed and adapted to conform to and support the Sacrum of the user, supports spaced longitudinally along and beneath said elongated extrusions, each of said extrusions having strengthening and supporting runners depending beneath and seating upon said supports and clamp members secured to said supports and clamping said runners thereto.

2. A contoured stadium bench formed of elongated aluminum extrusions, including and forming a forward portion having a curved upper surface formed and adapted to conform to and support the popliteal space of the user, an intermediate portion having a concave upper surface extending rearwardly from said forward curved surface and formed and adapted to conform to and support the buttocks of the user and a rear portion having an upwardly inclined curved upper surface extending from said concave upper surface and formed and adapted to conform to and support the sacrum of the user, male female interengaging conformations extending longitudinally of each of said extrusions, and means maintaining said conformations in interengaging relationship to form said stadium bench, including supports beneath said extrusions and clamp members secured to said supports, said extrusions having support runners seated upon said supports, said clamp members engaging said runners.

3. The structure of claim 1 characterized by and including a second extruded rear portion vertical rear and forward mating surfaces, respectively, on and extending beneath the upper and forward curved surfaces, respectively, of said first and second rear portions, a groove and lip configuration formed on and extending the length of said mating surfaces and fasteners extending through and securing said surfaces one to the other beneath said groove and lip configuration.

4. The structure of claim 1 characterized by and including end closure caps closing the opposite ends of said extrusions and having an upper edge aligned with said conforming and supporting surfaces.

5. The structure of claim 1 characterized by and including bracket elements secured to said first-named rear portion, said bracket elements having an upwardly curved forward surface identical to and constituting a continuation of the forward surface of said second rear portion, said bracket elements being positioned between and abutting adjacent extrusions forming segments of said second rear portion, a plurality of risers each of said risers being formed of an elongated extrusion and secured to and extending upwardly from one of said bracket elements, and a cross-member formed of an elongated extrusion and extending across and secured to the upper end portions of said risers in position to support the upper back area of the user.

6. The structure of claim 5 characterized by and including longitudinally spaced supports for said bench, each of said bracket elements including a forwardly extending portion formed and adapted for fastening to one of said supports.

7. The structure of claim 5 characterized by and including a rearwardly extending portion on each of said bracket elements and having an upper surface formed and positioned to receive and support the lower end surface of one of said risers.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,703,603 3/1955 Endicott 297-452 X 2,985,924 5/1961 Burke 52-8 3,006,689 10/1961 Eppink 297-457 3,012,818 12/1961 Brown 297-457 X 3,072,434 1/ 1963 Schaefer 297-248 3,077,364 2/1963 Eppink 297-48 3,093,096 6/1963 Black et al. 297-458 X 3,213,570 10/196E Abramson 52-8 3,310,343 3/ 1967 Schultz 297--445 CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. XR. 52-8; 297-248, 452g 458 

